One Brit discovers why Americans are so fat

America is bursting at the seams. No major development there. In fact, the U.S. makes up only 5% of the global population but tallies 13% of the world’s obese, the largest percentage for any nation, according to a study from the Lancet medical journal.

More than a third of our county is overweight. And we’re not getting any skinnier.

As Americans, we’ve grown accustomed to, say, the gut-bomb portion sizes at the Cheesecake Factory
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and the bottomless pasta bowls at the Olive Garden
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When Maggiano’s Little Italy
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serves up a massive plate of fettuccine and then hands us another whole serving on the way out, we hardly flinch. (Note the stock tickers “CAKE” and “EAT.”)

But it’s still shocking to visitors from across the pond. Shocking in a good way, at least for one British arrival who has been intoxicated enough by the options during his stay, presumably in San Francisco, that he posted some snapshots on Reddit of his recent months of gluttony.

He kicked off his odyssey by acknowledging that “this country knows how to eat.”

If he wanted a reaction, he got one. For whatever reason, his post struck a chord, quickly garnering more than 1.1 million views and drawing thousands of comments. Here are some of the highlights that helped make this food thread go viral this week.

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Mmm. In-N-Out has great burgers — among the very best, by at least one measure. But three Double-Doubles, some fries and the thousands of calories that comes with such a ridiculous order might be pushing the limits. Your pants are not amused.

Here are some comments made in response to the Englishman in question, posting as “zarms8”:

TheSecondToLastCenturion: “As an American, please don’t consistently eat like this. Most of us don’t. *disclaimer- I would sell my soul for In-N-Out right now.”

TraciAg: “A foreigner who actually knows how to find great food in America. Finally.”

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Another American staple: the burrito that might feed a family elsewhere but gets devoured in one committed sitting. And forget about finding the good stuff in London, as the Brit can surely attest. They haven’t even come close to figuring out nachos either. For what it’s worth, Mexico isn’t doing any better with its obesity problem.

SnakeServant: “So you ate a burrito the size of an infant? I am guessing you spent a considerable amount of time after in the loo.”

Yetii8: “America: Come for the food, stay because you are too fat to fit on an airplane because of the food.”

natural–seattleite:“I ordered ‘the nachos’ at a pub in Scotland. I got corn chips like from a grocery store that were sprinkled with some shredded, white, unmelted cheese and served with a side of marinara sauce. It’s like you guys only know what nachos are from pictures you saw in a brochure you once discovered in a storm drain.”

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As American as baseball and apple pie... and a compulsive obsession with bacon. From this food truck, you can also order bacon-fried chicken and something called “porky fries.” Since this truck is based in San Francisco, you might want to try the L.G.B.T. sandwich while you’re there.

SomeCleverBand: “Now I’m wondering how ‘diabetes’ sounds in a British accent. And it sounds like John Oliver in my head.”

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More bacon. No breakfast is complete without a sprinkling of pork on top of some sort of Cinnabon-ish cronut frosted pastry. At least that’s what it looks like.

PrayForMojo: “It’s always comical when Europeans ask about how America got so fat. Then they come visit and understand in like 2 days. Portion sizes are twice as big, and fried butter and glazed bacon donuts are actual dishes that people eat.”

otakucode: “You know, you’re on track to become one of those behemoths you see at Walmart
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... normal Americans only eat this stuff occasionally.”

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Now this is a refrigerator shelf any freedom-loving American carnivore would embrace wholeheartedly. Maybe even in one sitting, if the mood strikes.

TooNostalgaicFor21: “Anchor Steam is a pretty good reason to come to America.”

twodot596: “Keep up the good work! When you hit 15 stone [210 pounds] they will give you a green card. 20 stone [280 pounds] and it’s automatic U.S. citizenship.”

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Now this is a refrigerator shelf any freedom-loving American carnivore would embrace wholeheartedly. Maybe even in one sitting, if the mood strikes.

TooNostalgaicFor21: “Anchor Steam is a pretty good reason to come to America.”

twodot596: “Keep up the good work! When you hit 15 stone [210 pounds] they will give you a green card. 20 stone [280 pounds] and it’s automatic U.S. citizenship.”

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